In a stunning development that signals a major shift in direction for the New York Knicks, head coach Tom Thibodeau has been relieved of his duties, sources tell NBA insider Shams Charania. The decision comes after a rollercoaster 2024–25 NBA season marked by inconsistency, injury woes, and growing tension within the organization.
Thibodeau, who took the helm in 2020, brought with him a reputation for intense defensive schemes, a demanding coaching style, and a deep focus on preparation and accountability. His first season with the Knicks was widely regarded as a massive success. The team finished 41–31 in the shortened 2020–21 campaign, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and earning Thibodeau his second NBA Coach of the Year award.
But fast-forward to 2025, and the mood around Madison Square Garden has shifted dramatically.
The Rise and Fall
Thibodeau’s tenure began with promise. He revived a long-struggling franchise, helping restore credibility to one of the NBA’s most iconic teams. Players like Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and later Jalen Brunson seemed to thrive under his leadership, especially during the early years. The Knicks played with intensity, defended relentlessly, and appeared to have finally turned the corner.
However, as expectations grew, cracks in the foundation began to show. The Knicks were bounced from the first round of the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, and while the 2023–24 season included a deeper playoff run to the Eastern Conference semifinals, it wasn’t enough to solidify long-term faith in Thibodeau’s system.
This past season proved to be the final straw. Despite entering the 2024–25 season with high hopes and a deeper roster—bolstered by the offseason additions of veterans and young talent alike—the Knicks stumbled to a middling record and struggled to find consistency. Injuries played a part, but sources close to the organization cited locker room tension and a disconnect between Thibodeau and several key players.
Players Reportedly Grew Frustrated
While Thibodeau has always had a reputation for being a hard-nosed coach, his approach reportedly began to wear thin with this generation of players. According to multiple sources, younger players found it difficult to adapt to his grinding style and heavy minutes distribution. Critics have long pointed to Thibodeau’s tendency to lean heavily on his starters, often running them into the ground over the course of a long season.
One team source told The Athletic: “There was a sense that Thibs was coaching like it was still 2011. The league’s changed. The game’s changed. And the players felt that.”
Though Jalen Brunson remained a vocal supporter of his coach publicly, insiders believe some of the younger players—particularly recent draft picks—felt their development was stunted under Thibodeau’s system. Players like Quentin Grimes and Obi Toppin saw fluctuating roles despite flashes of strong performance, leading to internal frustrations.
Front Office Shake-Up Coming?
The move to part ways with Thibodeau could be just the beginning of a broader organizational shift. President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose, who brought Thibodeau in and has remained one of his staunchest supporters, is now facing heightened scrutiny himself. The decision to fire Thibodeau may have been influenced by growing pressure from ownership to make meaningful progress and capitalize on the current core before it’s too late.
Whether Rose remains in his role remains to be seen, but league insiders believe the Knicks may be preparing for a full-scale reset. The franchise has cap space flexibility, young assets, and draft capital—but they’ll need the right vision and leadership to take the next step.
Who’s Next?
Attention now turns to who the Knicks will tap to lead the team forward. Early speculation includes a mix of established names and rising assistants. Among those rumored to be on the radar:
- Kenny Atkinson – The former Brooklyn Nets coach is known for player development and could be a strong fit for a team looking to nurture its younger talent.
- Mark Jackson – The former Knicks point guard and ex-Warriors head coach remains a fan favorite and has long been linked to the Knicks in coaching rumors.
- Sam Cassell – A respected assistant coach with years of experience under Doc Rivers, Cassell could bring a fresh perspective and player-friendly approach.
- Becky Hammon – Currently thriving in the WNBA, Hammon has NBA assistant experience and has been widely viewed as a future head coach at the professional level.
Ultimately, the Knicks will have to strike a balance between finding a coach who can win now with their current talent and one who can foster growth in their younger pieces.
A New Era Begins
As the Thibodeau chapter closes, it’s hard not to reflect on the highs and lows of his four-plus seasons in New York. He brought stability, respectability, and a return to defense-first basketball. He helped elevate players and injected urgency into a team that had languished for years.
But in the end, the NBA is a results-driven league. And with expectations rising and the East getting stronger, the Knicks brass decided it was time for a new voice.
Whether that voice can finally lead the Knicks back to true contention is the next big question.
